November 2018 Wrap Up + A Few Life & Blogging Updates!

It’s the last day of November and that means it’s reading wrap up day! YAY. This post is going to include all the books I read this month, and also a few blogging/life updates at the end that I wanted to share with you all.

I ended up only reading Shadowhunters and Grishaverse books in November… which was kind of the best thing ever. If I’m being honest, this was actually one of my very favorite months I’ve had reading-wise, despite the fact that I only got through 5 books. But these were almost all 5 star reads, which made me so happy. I try to value quality over quantity.

That being said, I do wish I had been able to get to Ghosts of the Shadow Market and a couple ARCs like I had planned because I was super looking forward to those. But there’s always next month. 🙂

Okay, on to November reads and updates!

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

I finished up the Grisha trilogy at the beginning of the month with Ruin and Rising, and while it wasn’t a terrible book, I was pretty bummed with how it wrapped up the series. The ending was just such a letdown. But, all in all, I still liked the trilogy as a whole. I mean, it did introduce us to Nikolai Lantsov, and that’s a gift in itself, am I right?

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

My Rating: ★★★★★

Then I finally, finally, got to read Six of Crows! And let me tell you: this was an instant all time favorite. IT WAS SO BRILLIANT and worth every last bit of praise it’s gotten. I have so much love in my heart for the Dregs and for this entire story. This was way too good.

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

My Rating: ★★★★★

I always get a little nervous about diving in to the second book of a series because I fear that it won’t live up to the first, but that did NOT happen here. I somehow loved Crooked Kingdom even more than Six of Crows. I’m still reeling from the pure excellence that was this book and this whole duology was a masterpiece.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

My Rating: ★★★★★

In preparation for Queen of Air and Darkness (!!!), I decided to reread the gem that is Lady Midnight. And it was even BETTER the second time around. Having the Shadowhunters books back in my life has honestly been the highlight of my November. These books are such a huge comfort to me and this reread was absolutely perfect. Ugh I truly love the Blackthorns and Emma Carstairs with everything that I am.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

My Rating: ★★★★★

Okay so I’m not technically done with this yet, but I should be finishing it up tonight or tomorrow! That 5 star rating still stands though because oh my GOODNESS this is incredible. Not to speak too soon, but Lord of Shadows could end up being in my top 5 favorite Shadowhunters books… ever. I love it that much. But I’m also very scared for the heartbreaking ending which I’m not prepared for in the slightest!

Blogging and General Life Updates

Okay I have a few things I wanted to share with you all real quick, so I thought this would be a good place to give a little update about some blogging and life related stuff:

In case you missed it, I recently shared a post explaining my plans to rebrand my blog and change the name (which I’ve been so beyond excited about!!). By now, I was planning to have at least my domain name changed, but unfortunately, life is taking a toll on me lately. I haven’t been able to bring my full attention to rebranding and I’m more than upset about that. But I want to be honest about what’s been going on!

About a week and a half ago, I found out that the therapist I’ve been going to is no longer going to be practicing. This was totally unexpected, and it’s caused my anxiety and depression levels to spike higher than they’ve been in a while. Now that I can no longer go this therapist, I’ve had to put my focus in to finding a new one. Going through this process again, of finding a therapist who’s the right fit and can treat my specific disorders, is causing a great deal of stress.

Then, because the universe has just not been on my side lately, I also managed to catch a cold and have been bed-ridden for the past couple days. Which… does not help matters, but I’ve been getting a lot of sleep and drinking a lot of tea!

Being both mentally and physically sick has been causing me to feel foggy and drained, which is why I (sadly) haven’t been able to focus on rebranding. BUT! I do want to say that I know things are going to get better. I’ve been at my worst before and this is not it. There’s always going to be bumps in the road, but I’m confident that I’ll get back on track. I already have a list of therapists to call as soon as I’m able to talk and my voice comes back lol.

And the good news is that I’m absolutely going to be working on rebranding my blog throughout the month of December! I have to pritorize mental and physical health right now, but once I’m feeling better, I can put more energy in to this. And I’m so, so, so hyped about it. 🙂

I’ll make sure you keep you guys updated on this blogging stuff! I cannot thank you all enough for your understanding and patience and endless support. The book community is such a light in my life and I could not be more grateful. ❤️

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful November and that December is going to be even better. I’m off to go read some Lord of Shadows now because we are only 4 days away from Queen of Air and Darkness. I CANNOT WAIT.

I’d love to know

What did you read this month? Have you ever read any Shadowhunters or Grishaverse books? What are your favorite books from those series? Favorite characters?!

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48 thoughts on “November 2018 Wrap Up + A Few Life & Blogging Updates!”

Ah, that sucks that you had to change therapists! I know how hard that can be and I hope things are evening out for you. And I’m looking forward to seeing your rebrand when it happens! All the love to you!

You know I was screaming “Yesssss!” to all of these! hahahaha! Amazing wrap up, love. And I can’t wait for QOAAD with you and the rest of the book world in A FEW MORE DAYS! Happy December and happy reading, beautiful! 💖xx

AHH Mel thank you so much for these kind words! I seriously can’t believe QOAAD is ALMOST HERE! It’s going to be so much fun to read it with you and the rest of the community☺️ I hope you have a wonderful December, and happy reading to you too my friend!❤️

Awh Iris THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your kindness really means the world to me and I appreciate it so much💗

YESSS I’m really glad I ended up reading some good books too – thanks to them all being Grishaverse and Shadowhunters lol! Truly the best.

And omg I keep forgetting about Ghosts of the Shadow Market too. Then every time Kit mentions the Shadow Markets in LoS it reminds me that I gotta read those😂 I might try to squeeze one or two of them in before QOAAD but we shall see! I hope you end up liking the rest when you get around to them 🙂

I’m so glad you enjoyed SOC. I don’t know how Bardugo made the series so amazing in not just 1 book but 2?? I’m with you that I totally thought the second book wouldn’t be able to hold up, but you’re so right. Seems like a great reading month. Great wrap-up, and have a great December! 🙂

Aahhh Brianna I’m so glad that you had such a wonderful reading month!! (And that you five-starred both Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom!! I’m so EXTREMELY excited to read this duology.) Even though I haven’t read any Cassie Clare books, your excitement for Queen of Air and Darkness is SO palpable, haha. I’m so excited for you!! 💓

I’m sorry that you have to change therapists; wishing you all the best with finding a new therapist and I hope that they’ll just as good as your old one ❤️ And I’m here if you need anything. I hope you’ll feel better soon, and I’m really excited for your blog changes coming in December (hehe)!! ☺️

Ahhhhh I’m SO! EXCITED! for you to read the SOC duology and (hopefully one day hehe) the Cassie Clare books💞 I know you’re all for contemporaries but I bet you’ll absolutely love these series lol :’) And omg my anticipation for QOAAD is very real – thanks for sharing some excitement even though you haven’t read the Shadowhunters books😂❤️

And awh I appreciate all this kindness and support more than you know Dezzy💞 It truly means so much to me that I can talk to you about this mental health stuff and that you listen! I’m hoping that things will start going smoother soon. and YES! I’m super excited for these upcoming blog changes too, even though it might be a bit of a slower process lol😂 thank you so much Dezzy!! ☺️

Omg yes!! SOC and Shadowhunters really made this reading month a great one💞 Which reminds me, I hope you’ve been enjoying Lady Midnight and getting to know Emma and all the Blackthorns hehe😊 And awh thank you Kaya, you’re too sweet!!

I love and adore “The Dark Artifices” and the “Six of Crows duology” is one of my favourites!! ❤ So this blog post made me really, really happy! I'm still reading "Ruin and Rising" but I hope I'll be done with it by next week! =)

And I'm sorry you caught a cold and that you have to change your therapist! I've been at home with a cold those last three days too so I know how you feel! I'll cross my fingers for you that you'll find a good new therapist soon! It's always unsettling when that happens. ❤ *sends hugs*

YAY I’m so glad to hear you also love SoC and TDA! They’re truly some amazing series❤️ and ooh I hope you’ve been enjoying Ruin and Rising – I wished I had liked that one more! But I’m REALLY excited for King of Scars in January😁

Thank you so much for all of these kind words and positive thoughts, Virginia! I really, really appreciate it. But gah I’m sorry to hear you’ve caught a cold too – I hope you feel better soon! And I hope you have a wonderful month ahead Virginia !! happy reading😊

You read some really great books this month. I was late to the Six of Crows party and although at first I was scared of the hype it was SO good! As soon as my exams are over with I’m reading Crooked Kingdom and I can’t wait.

Being sick sucks but at least its a good excuse to drink excessive amounts of tea. I really hope you feel better and find a new therapist soon 💜

SAAAME! I was reluctant to read SoC for a while because of the hype, but I’m so glad it lived up to it for us both. ahh I hope you end up loving Crooked Kingdom as well and I wish you luck with those exams!!

Lol being sick really is the best excuse to drink all the tea😂 And thanks so much! Your kindness truly means a lot to me💕 hope you have a wonderful December!

Brianna, I am so so sorry that you had a rough month! I really hope that you are able to find a new therapist soon and that the transition is smooth. I understand how important not only a therapist is, but the RIGHT therapist. Anyways, I’m sending you all the good vibes and I hope you are able to have a better time this month! I’m looking forward to working with you on the rebranding graphic stuff 🙂

AWHH KAT!! SERIOUSLY YOU ARE TOO KIND❤️ thank you for all of these very sweet words! I really appreciate them with my whole heart. Yes you get me – finding the RIGHT therapist is definitely critical and something that I never realized took such a long time. But I have hope that this process will end up going smoothly enough!

Gaaaah and I absolutely cannot WAIT to work with you on graphics Kat💕 Like, I’m truly so honored to have this help from the actual graphics QUEEN! And thank you times a million for being so supportive and patient while I’m working through this stuff right now. I cannot even tell you how grateful I am to have such a kind and understanding friend like you. It really, truly means the world to me.

I’m excited to work with you too! AND GOSH I’M BLUSHING. “THE GRAPHICS QUEEN”???? I seriously don’t know if I deserve that title, but I love that you are kind enough to think I should be the queen of anything 🙂

And I am more than happy to support a wonderful person like you!!! If you ever need to talk or a pick-me-up, don’t be afraid to DM me 🙂 I give great pep talks that include lots of inspirational cat posters haha

You are MORE than worthy of being called the graphics queen! And gaaah thank you so much for this kindness💖 I’ll make sure to come to you if I’m ever in need of inspirational cat posters (that sounds amazing) hehe

ah i hope things get better for you, especially with finding a new therapist and recovering from your cold! may i recommend using vicks to help speed up your recovery from your cold? i had a cold two weeks ago and it helped immensely. i’m reading the grisha trilogy right now to prepare for the release of king of scars and it’s … fine. i absolutely loved lady midnight and i liked lord of shadows, and can’t wait for queen of air and darkness. happy reading!

awh Taasia, I appreciate you being so very sweet and helpful! I totally forgot about Vick’s – I’m going to have to get some at the store for sure. Thank you so much for the tip 🙂

I felt that the Grisha trilogy was just fine too! But I’m SUPER excited for King of Scars in January because Nikolai is my fave hehe. And ahh LM and LOS are so great, right?? I can’t even believe QOAAD is just a couple days away now! I hope you end up loving it💕 happy reading to you too as well, Taasia!

Gah I’m sorry you’ve been sick too, Sarah! I feel like it’s that time of year when everyone seems to get sick at once which is just the worst, ugh!
And thank you so much for these very kind words💞 I hope you have a lovely December as well and happy reading to you too! And feel better soon 🙂

YESSS MAY YOU GET ME!! All the love for Grishaverse and Shadowhunters honestly they’re just the absolute BEST. lol can you believe QOAAD is about to ruin us in LESS THAN TWO DAYS NOW?? GAAAAH. I’m not ready at all but at the same time….. I’ve never been more ready.

And omg you are the absolute sweetest, thank you for all these very kind and supportive words😭 !!! It truly helps so much to hear this and I appreciate it with my entire heart💕 I hope you have a wonderful month ahead May & ENJOY QOAAD!!

You read some great books this month, that’s amazing! I’m happy you enjoyed Six of Crows, it is such a fantastic duology 🙂
I’m so sorry about the stress and complications this month with your therapist, I hope you’ll be able to find a new one soon. Focus on yourself and on your mental health first, I’ll be curious to see your blog changes later on, but for now I just hope you’ll feel better soon. Sending you all the positive vibes and love, you’re strong and you will get through this ❤❤❤

Awh, thank you! YES, the Six of Crows duology is just incredible, isn’t it?? ahh I absolutely love it!

And oh my goodness Marie, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of your kindness😭 It’s so reassuring to hear this and your words of encouragement have made me feel a whole lot better. Thank you so very much for being so sweet and supportive!! It truly means the world. 💞 And I hope you have a happy month ahead Marie!

AHH yes ALL THE LOVE for the Shadowhunter books! I’m so happy QOAAD is finally here 🙂 And oh my goodness, I appreciate these kind words so much Liz ❤ Things have been going a bit better, thankfully! Thank you so much & and I hope you have a wonderful month ahead my friend! ❤ ❤

Great wrap up (and post) as always Brianna! I love reading through your reviews 😍

I’m so glad you finished the SoC duology!!! WE MUST RANT TOGETHER! But yes, I also loved Crooked Kingdom more than Six of Crows…i think it’s a natural thing lollll. The ending of Crooked Kingdom was so bitter sweet; it was adorable, but I couldn’t believe that it was the end ☹️ (ok technically it isn’t bc Leigh dropped the announcement that she might continue their story in the future…fingers crossed) The Dregs are one of my favorite groups ever.
I really really really want to read TDA, but I haven’t read TMI yet 😭 And I’ve been informed that if you haven’t read TMI, then do not read TDA because there will be a lot of spoilers…*ughhh cries* The only thing that I have read is TDI (ignore the incorrect grammar…), and my conclusion is that Jem is my baby and I’ll love him forever lmao.

I’m so sorry to hear about your situation with your therapist Brianna! I understand how you feel, and I hope you know that you will be okay! If you ever need anyone to talk to, I’ll always be here for you. I am so grateful to have met you, and I enjoy talking to you and reading your posts! 💗

Also, I just wanted to let you know that I responded to you on goodreads, but I’m not sure if it ever went through…i just don’t want you to think that I left you hanging 😰

YES YES YES I still cannot get over just how good the SOC duology is…. WHAT an actual masterpiece. We absolutely need to scream about it together!! I've heard Leigh is writing SOC 3 AND AHH I CANNOT WAIT (even though it's supposed to take ages to come out but STILL). Also, you should totally read TMI so you can read TDA and we can cry about how amazing it is. I'm so glad you've read TID though because thats my, without a doubt, absolute FAVE. Jem is the sweetest soul and ugh I'll also love him for eternity😭

Ahh thank you so very much for all these kind words, Kat! I honestly cannot thank you enough for all your constant support ❤ Also I DID get your message on Goodreads, and I AM SO SORRY I have not responded yet😭 I've been so behind on stuff lately but I'm going to make sure I get to that this weekend (I PROMISE) because I miss talking (and ranting) with you so much💖 Thanks again for being so sweet and I'll talk to you soon my friend!! 😊